Billy Walton Band New Year News!

Light of Day

Hey everyone, several big shows coming up! First, on January 17th we will be participating in the annual Light Of Day Benefit in Asbury Park. We will be part of the “Asbury Blues” show at the Wonder Bar during the afternoon. Other performers for the blues event will be Stingbean, the Tangiers Blues Band, and the Upstage Jam Band. The Light of Day Foundation, Inc., utilizes the power of music to raise money and awareness in its continuing battle to defeat Parkinson’s disease and related illnesses such as PSP and ALS within our lifetime. The Foundation’s mission is to fund research into possible cures, improved treatments and support for patients who suffer from those illnesses, their families and their caregivers to help improve their quality of life. Light of Day – the concerts and the organization – grew from a birthday party and fund-raiser held in 1998 at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank to celebrate the 40th birthday of artist manager and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1996.

Albert Lee

On Feb 15th we will be playing at the Saint with legendary guitarist Albert Lee. Albert Lee is arenown, British born sideman/studio guitarist, composer, solo artist and music director who has been called “the guitar players guitar player” and “Mr. Telecaster”. Emmylou Harris once said that Lee is a “ brilliant guitar player. His sound is unmistakeable – often emulated, never equalled” and Vince Gil has called him “one of the finest guitar players that ever walked this earth”. His guitar influences include James Burton, Scotty Moore, Buddy Holly and Jerry Reed and he’s as comfortable playing country music as he is playing the blues, R&B or rockabilly. Albert has toured and recorded with countless artists; Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Emmylou Harris, The Everly Brothers, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Scaggs, Rodney Crowell and Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings to name just a few. He been a featured 5 time guest at Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, most recently at Madison Square Garden in 2014. He’s won 5 Guitar Player Magazine “Best Country Guitarist” awards as well as winning a Grammy for “Best Country Instrumental Performance”. In his seventh decade, Albert Lee is still recording, touring relentlessly and playing guitar more brilliantly than ever.